20 reasons to be optimistic about the Ravens this year

Cautiously optimistic

Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports

The Ravens were playing without their top receiver from the year before. Their offensive line was a disaster. They had a gaping hole in the middle of the defense and in the locker room after a franchise cornerstone retired. And yet, an 8-8 record wasn't enough for fans. That's what happens when you build a franchise that harvests winning teams like the Chesapeake churns out seafood. To be blunt, the 2013 season didn't exactly suck, but it wasn't particularly great. But here are 20 reasons why the 2014 season will be better than the last. --By Sean Welsh, The Baltimore Sun Baltimore Ravens quarterback Keith Wenning against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Ravens were playing without their top receiver from the year before. Their offensive line was a disaster. They had a gaping hole in the middle of the defense and in the locker room after a franchise cornerstone retired. And yet, an 8-8 record wasn't enough for fans. That's what happens when you build a franchise that harvests winning teams like the Chesapeake churns out seafood. To be blunt, the 2013 season didn't exactly suck, but it wasn't particularly great. But here are 20 reasons why the 2014 season will be better than the last. --By Sean Welsh, The Baltimore Sun Baltimore Ravens quarterback Keith Wenning against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports)

If you're into that whole winning-breeds-winning mantra, then expectations should be relatively high for the Ravens. Like, forever. In the era that began with the cumulative arrival of John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco in town, Baltimore has been one of the best franchises in the NFL. Sure, some of the elder statesmen from the early years of this era have left, but the atmosphere is in place. "Play Like a Raven" may be a cliche, but in many ways, it simply outlines the level of expectations that players should anticipate when walking into The Castle in Owings Mills (pictured).

If you're into that whole winning-breeds-winning mantra, then expectations should be relatively high for the Ravens. Like, forever. In the era that began with the cumulative arrival of John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco in town, Baltimore has been one of the best franchises in the NFL. Sure, some of the elder statesmen from the early years of this era have left, but the atmosphere is in place. "Play Like a Raven" may be a cliche, but in many ways, it simply outlines the level of expectations that players should anticipate when walking into The Castle in Owings Mills (pictured). (Amy Davis / Baltimore Sun)